Jo Ann Alo

Poetry

A Ready Artist

We want, need, must create.
Writers wording for truth,
defining, and refining
to find their order—
a safe place in the family.
Painters fused in color
all blurred together,
brushing, blending
for what the texture wants to say.
The musician
bellies melody and harmony
fighting for air,
one nameless line at a time
demanding its song.
Blank, white, quiet sheets
wait submissively for us.
When we’re ready to speak,
so are they.

Made Free

Born under a lawI could not keep.Desperate for a fatherto just love me.I stumble about the earth,unable to findattention, direction, protectionfor my mind.Bound by lies,I hate myself.Void of value,I forfeit wealth.Your word stoops down,grabs hold of my soul,executes my past,revives me whole.Up from the graveand into Your Son.No more a prisoner,You and I become one.Each new dayis my chance to see,who You are…reveals me.My mind above,my shame died.My life now hiddenin Christ with God.(Dedicatedto my brothersat the Life Learning Program,Cook County Jail.)

A Writer's Marriage

Keep writing.Work your words out,like a lifetime relationshipto an immature spouse.You’ll start out with lies,cause you’re new at this,shootin for goldand all that bliss.They’ll start to turnand anger will form.Don’t give them up,they’re building a storm.They have to come,have to blow,have to break,need to flow.You’ll get to the doorand want to leave.You’re done with them all,sick of their grief.Let go of those drafts,rewrite the view.You’ll love them allwhen they’re nothing but true.(2018)

The Lord Is My Knight

One day You will come to my rescue,steal me from all sadness and grief.You will whisk me away to Your kingdom,dress my spirit in relief.Love, received and given,will be my only belongings brought.The most important possessions I hadwere the simple things You taught.The perils of this land are temporary.Through each one Your armor more bright.Until, at last, on that appointed day,I am embraced in the arms of my Knight.(1995)

Ageless

My body ages.Each passing yearbones more brittle,lines of time are drawn.Nothing fits like it used to.You can tell my ageby looking at me.My spirit ages now.Each passing dayI am renewed.Stronger in wisdom,my mind reforming.Nothing feels like it used to.I no longer count the years
but the days
I have with You. (1995)

Baby’s Farewell

I’m sorry I went so soon today.I left without so much as a kiss.I am told, though my stay was short,I am already missed.I want you to knowI’m safe and sound,that my spirit lives on in peace.I am grateful for the chance you gave.I look forward to the day we meet.My gifts were the purest paths of life,never having stepped foot on land.Arriving in the warmth of your womb,departing in the palm of His hand.(1997)

Going Home

Today you cross the finish-line.The checkered flag is waved.You have fought long and hard,there’s much to celebrate.So gather up your trophies of love,your medals in sweet charity,pack your ribbons for faithfulness,your Purple Heart for bravery.Leave behind your broken pieces,the bruises you have known.There isn’t space for suffering,today you’re going home.(1995)

The Adopted Child

God delivered me to earth todayin the form of a tiny seed.He heard you could not carry me,so He disguised me as a weed.He said I would bring many tearsof heartbreak and delight.He said I was the prayerof a chosen man and wife.Your eyes are the sourceof my unveiling,the blossom I was meant to be.I was born for you,and you were joined for me.(1995)

Sisters

The little girl who’s just like me.She sounds like me,looks like me,even sometimes acts like me.We shared our first doll,first day,first date.She knows my deepest secrets,brightest moments,favorite place.You share distance no one else has been,laughter no one else finds funny,stories no one else can tell when you're sisters.(for Karen1997)

Walking the Wall

I came to tell you, thank you,for that priceless gift you gave.I wanted to finally meet you,and touch your noble name.I sense your heroism around me,as I walk the long still wall.Pausing at the sound of the trumpet,as it plays its sobering psalm.The sacrifice will not be forgotten;your life cut in half.I am not the first to mourn you,nor will I be the last.(Dedicated to the Vietnam Veterans
1995)

Grace

What is this thing…grace?Is it a prayer,a sacrament,a religious mandate?Someone said it was free;a gift of some kind.Hard to believesomething I didn’t work forcould really be mine.They saythat’s what makes this giftlike no other.Offered to any human soulin need of a Savior.It’s written, God came to earthjust like I did.Offered Himself as paymentfor all my sins.They say there’s nothing I can doto deserve such a prize.Only by believingcan God open my eyes.Perhaps this purpose I search for,this emptiness I can not name,is found in this Jesus,and the giftof His grace.(2000)

A Wealthy Man’s Prayer

Help me Lord,that I might seeall the man I was intended to be.Give me handsthat reach toward others,never to hoard or betray another.Give me legsthat bend in gratitude,remembering all I have comes from You.Give me feet that children can follow,each tiny step toward a better tomorrow.Lend me a voice filled with truth,a tongue driven to bear good fruit.Give me a spiritthat climbs above the earthwhen the world mocksan honest days work.Give me a heartwhich beats a song,to Whom I depend,to Whom I belong.(In honor of my husband 1996)

Beauty

Thank you, Lordfor making me seethat You are the beauty in me.No makeup, or hair,or latest fashioncan satisfythis misguided passion.To have and holdthe perfect selfis not obtainedfrom upon a shelf.But by my hopein ChristI inheritthe unfailing beautyof a gentle,quiet spirit.(2004)

Marriage Is…

When a promise is plantedin virgin soil,and the hope of a harvestfirmly coiled.The willingnessto sitso the other may stand,exposing our frailtieswith open hands.When unforgivenesswill be retired,and the vows to selfset on fire.How the ridiculoussplits our sideswhen all modestybegins to hide.Ears collectingour daily words,lips extinguishingmomentary fears.Broken vesselsbecomingone work of arton a stagethat modelsthe Creator’s heart.(for Jacob and Kelli 2014)

Mother In Me

Cradling youI’ve come to know,I’m not who I used to be.You have seizeda corner of my heart,and made a motherout of me.Now, forever,I look toward tomorrowto seewhat life holds for you.I plan to catchevery tender smile,and bandageevery wound.We’ll hold handsand sing songs,and you’ll tell meall you want to be.As for myselfI shall never be the same,since you madea mother out of me.
(1998)

Death’s Lie

Death, why do you call meas if to comfort me?You beg me to ask,Is death better than life?Look at me;my body taut,my head reeling,my eyes fogged with tears.Surely, you are no comfort.Death does not come to me.Death beckons me.Life comes to me.Settles my flesh,stills my head,and clears my eyesto the horizon.
(2004)

Seeking Soul

I lean toward His mindful earwith all my sins exposed.Though I am hidden from humanity,He sees…He hears…He knows.I have no strength to point a finger,my hands are hiding my face.There is no one to curse or accuse,I have made my own mistakes.I grieve for a soulin most need of repair,the dirtiest one I can see.I'll put my life in the hands of God.The One who washes me clean.
(1997)

Your Hands

My tiny soulwas sent from heavenhoping I will return.To the Fatherwho sent me to you,to mold, shape, and learn.Within these wallsyou’ll teach meabout faith,the colors of life,the pink and the gray.You’ll set me on a pathof compassion and truth.And bathe me in loveall the days of my youth.And when I stepbeyond these doorsI’ll remember the handsthat led mewere yours.
(1998)

Between Here and Home

There's always something missing
from this cluttered place.Every time I think I've found itit's just more empty space.I press on to fill the hollownessthat taunts my very soul.I've come to the conclusionthis must not be my home.This ache that lives within meonly God himself can close.This search for perfect wholenessrests in Him alone. (2002)